Alliance to host an Israeli shuk on May 5

A shuk, an Israeli outdoor market, will be held at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, on May 5.

Outdoor markets can be found throughout Israel, and often attract throngs of people, especially before Shabbat and holidays. Visitors to Israel are often enthralled by the variety of items offered in an Israeli shuk, which is truly a soup-to-nuts experience, with everything but the kitchen sink in between.

While the Alliance cannot rival an Israeli shuk, the May 5 event, at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, will feature a range of goods, live music, food, including Israeli olive oils, wines and whiskey, and local art. Also, in response to popular demand, Clover Food Lab, of Boston, will be returning with its meal boxes.

In addition, the shuk will have on-site dining and a tequila tasting, to mark Mexico’s Cinco de Mayo holiday. At 5:30 p.m., author Alyssa Satin Capucilli will read from her new children’s book, “And a Cat from Carmel Market,” and lead fun interactive activities for all ages based on the book.

In the book, Bubbe goes to the outdoor Carmel Market to shop for Shabbat, but finds herself coming home with a slew of stray cats. The Alliance’s shuk will be filled with pictures of cats, many of them hiding, for a type of scavenger hunt.

Capucilli is the author of over 100 books for young readers, including “Biscuit,” which has been deemed a modern classic.

In celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, Clover Food Lab will deliver its Mediterranean boxes, or any of its boxes, for pickup at the shuk. Last year, there were about 100 orders.

Clover is under the Kosher supervision of Rabbi Barry Dolinger, of Congregation Beth Sholom, in Providence, and is a cult-favorite restaurant chain founded by environmentalist Ayr Muir. Ordering information will be available closer to the event. A two-person box provides three meals each, for a total of six meals. A four-person box provides a dozen meals.

The shuk will be held on Thursday, May 5, 5 to 7 p.m., behind the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. In case of bad weather, the program will take place in the JCC’s Social Hall. Admission is free but registration is requested for the book event. Go to www.jewishallianceri.org/capucilli/ to register.

For more information, contact Amit Moshe Oren, at AOren@jewishallianceri.org, or 401-421-4111.

LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.